posted 03-28-2005 12:31               

One word of caution.

We have been to the DR and enjoyed it. But many people do not.

Also, it is not uncommon to have 'tummy' problems. People tend to blame it on the food, but remember if you are engaging in the 'all you can drink' while you are there that can have an effect also. Especially if you like the blender drinks with coconut (like me!) Coconut is a known laxative. I don't think most visitors to the DR realize that.

And be sure to compare prices with a travel agent or Apple Vacations, etc to see if you can get an all-inclusive rate that is the same or cheaper than using a timeshare. Airfare can be expensive along with the mandatory all inclusive fee and sometimes it works out cheaper to book a package deal the the DR through a travel agent.

------------------
Kathy

Edited to add - I grew up in Arlington, VA!

posted 03-28-2005 15:16               

Thanks for the info. Where did you grow up in Arlington? I am coming to Harrisonburg on April 14-17. Staying at Massanutten Mountainside Villas and visiting UVA and JMU with my daughter.

posted 03-29-2005 07:19               

We manage JMU college rentals so if your daughter goes to JMU and has questions about off campus housing after freshman year let me know.

posted 04-01-2005 05:24               

Quick overview. Resort is so close to being a first class vacation destination, yet so far away. Villas are very nice. Lots of marble, each has own pool. Beds in our villa were poor. Just a mattress on a wood frame. No box spring. Each villa has has small private yard and decking for sun basking. Maid comes daily, cooks breakfast for you. Our maid was priceless, kept the villa spotless. We had villa 2c, one of the smaller villas, which had 3 bedrooms. 1 minute walk to beach. Other villas are located 10 to 15 minutes from beach. Resort provides transportation, call for van, will pick you up and take you anywhere in complex.

Beach very nice. Kids loved it. Small army of Dominicians kept the beach exceptionally clean. As it is public beach, locals have access, so on weekends and holidays can be somewhat crowded. Felt safe 100% of the time.

Lots of food, but will begin to taste the same after a couple of days. Same with the drinks. Neither food nor drink are of exceptional quality.

Customer service is, to put in kindly, poor. Must have learned about in from Capital One commercial. NO, NO, NO. Tried to exchange big US bills to get tip money for the hard working and deseriving resort staff. Can not be done. Will not break US bills for smaller US bills. Will exchange your big US bills for big DR bills. Will not exchange big DR bills for smalle DR bills. Told many people need money to tip the staff there, the common response was do not tip them.

8, 11, and 12 year old boys loved resort. Played on beach, swam in pools, took advantage of free tennis lessons. They did not want to leave. Adults began to wonder why they were paying all this money for where there was no attempt to redress small matters to make the trip so much better.

If you are looking for a safe and clean resort to soak up the sun, LHVC qualifies. Just do not expect perfection. The question then becomes whether for several hundred dollars a day you deserve something close to perfection.